New Festival to Take Place of Cancelled Cleveland Pride

You may have seen the rather out-of-nowhere announcement that Cleveland Pride was cancelled, and now it seems that we will be getting something else in it’s place.

This is thanks to the LGBT Cleveland Community Centre, who stepped up to the plate to provide some kind of Pride celebration following the surprise cancellation.

At the time of the cancellation, Todd J. Saporito, president and CEO of Cleveland Pride said: “We have been entrusted by our community to create a secure parade and festival environment for our LGBTQ brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, aunts, uncles, friends and allies.”

“Because of the changing social climate, Cleveland Pride did not have enough time to engage in the development of awareness programs and training that we believe is critical in today’s environment. Therefore, we regretfully cancelled our 28th annual parade, rally and festival this year.”

Naturally, people were not only upset by the sudden and short notice cancellation, but also for the vague non-reasons given by the organisers. There was even a petition with over 1,200 signatures calling for Saporito’s dismissal.

Now we have a statement from the LGBT Cleveland Community Centre on Facebook, who seem to be researching ways to have some kind of Pride celebration in Cleveland.

“After last Thursday’s announcement made by Cleveland Pride Inc. that the annual Cleveland Pride Parade and Festival had been cancelled, Cleveland LGBTQ Leaders joined together on the morning of July, 31st to move forward with a new event that will take place on Saturday, August 13, 2016.”

“We will have a safe and secure environment in which to celebrate and we will show the world that Cleveland’s LGBTQ Community Rocks. Please stay tuned for more details on location, times, entertainment, etc. Cleveland will unite and will celebrate our community and diversity on Saturday, August 13, 2016.”